Need advise on 6 yr olds med, adderall or ? - ADD / ADHD Message Board

11-21-2002, 09:51 PM

I am new to this ad/adhd stuff. I have a 6yr old son who recently has been put on meds for ad/adhd-combo type. We started on 5mg adderall. It seamed to help him, but wore off early afternoon and was a grump for the rest of the day. This lasted for 10 days. The doctor has now switched him to 10 mg Adderall XR so he does not have to go to the nurses office at school. This also seems to work great, I have seen my sweet child again. Major problem is that we have been on the XR for 3 days, and he is complaining of a headache at night which appears to get worse each day. He also can not go to sleep, he finally falls asleep around 10 pm (goes to bed at 8pm) which is way too late for a 6yr old that has to get up at 6:30 am.
Now what? I am happy with the changes I see with the drugs, but he can't live with the headaches and lack of sleep. Should we try something like Concerta? Any advise is really appreciated

mlgable · 11-21-2002, 11:43 PM

The first thing you need to do is report these side effects to the doctor so that he can advise you as to what to do. The doctor may be able to suggest somethings to you once you report this to him . Update him first thing in the morning.

2mmk · 11-22-2002, 05:28 AM

My son (7yrs) takes Concerta, he is now on 54mg, 1st started on Ritalin - 2xs a day but the ups and downs were way too much. Then switching to Concerta, 1st 36mg, but it was wearing off too quickly and the mood swings were awful. He was very mouthy and defiant, something he never did before, after that they uped him to 54mg (I figured it would get worse) it was so much better. He actually sleeps better-you would think it would have been worse again but it wasn't, When I don't wake him up (on weekends) he really sleeps LATE though. Ask your doctor about the big differences between Concerta and Adderall, we have had good luck on Concerta. Good Luck.

lil*hottie · 11-24-2002, 01:32 PM

I am 14 and I was resently diagnosed with ADD, and my doctor put me on 10mg. ritalin 2x a day and I have seen a major improvement! Before I was forgetful, loss of concentration very easly, figety, bored easly, and procrastinated a lot. My parents thought I was lazy, but I knew I wasn't. My grades were slipping very badly so I mention to my parents that I thought I had a learning disability and my parents called the doctor and I took some tests and they fold out I had ADD so they put me on meds. and I feel so much better, plus I take a vitamin called Omega which helps you consentrate and listen better. I have seen a great improvement and feel much better! I hope that your son will get better. Also the doctor didn't want me to go on Adderall because of the side effects like sleeping problems.

I hope my info has helped!
~*Ashley*~

rebecarooni · 11-27-2002, 06:23 AM

We use Metadate CD 20 mg which is a once daily tablet. My 6 year old has never been on conerta or adderall so I don't have a comparison. The medicine has a mini peak so to spaek about 2 hours after it is taken and then a final peak about four hours after that and is almost completely metabolized within 10 hours so he's all the way through school and I am picking him up from day care before the med has worn off. He has had some trouble sleeping but we now give him melatonin (2 mg unless he's really wild and then 3mg) and he sleeps beautifully. My pediatrician actually recommended adderall originally and as it was almost a year ago, I can't remember why I prefered the Metadate. (Which I guess is basically a second generation Ritalin) The only concern I have is that when we first started the Metadate, my son's tics went away and now they are coming back. There isn't another dose as far as I know. We are looking at wellbutrin (have an appointment Tuesday) Good Luck.